The sky was no longer blue.
A distorted shimmer enveloped the battlefield like a warped mirror dome. Inside, the air twisted unnaturally, thick with sharp spiritual energy that tasted like metal and ozone. Where once the wind carried the scent of trees and freedom, now there was only suffocation and the oppressive glow of amber-gold crystal light.
Crocodile Douluo stood just outside the dome, his palms bleeding as he pounded mercilessly against the invisible wall.
"LI WEI!" His voice roared, echoing across the sealed field like thunder.
But inside, Li Wei could hear nothing. The world beyond had faded.
The moment that he realize what happen, he knows that his grandson will be in great danger.
The moment the guys that confront Li Wei form that dome, he move as fast as he can. As a Title Douluo, that movement was not something that an ordinary person can follow.
The crystal-sealed arena, forged through the fusion of Goksumr Shinobi Ridewatch and Martial Spirit, was complete.
Opposite him stood the enemy—no longer a man, but a radiant force clad in fractured armor that shimmered like sunlight on glass. Goksumr's yellow-gold wings pulsed with dangerous vitality, the Crystal Phoenix essence merged with the segmented armor of Another Shinobi. Obsidian shoulder guards shaped like phoenix talons arched upward, while glowing chakra emblems etched into his chestplate pulsed with a violent rhythm.
"So this is the power of a Veil Envoy," Li Wei muttered beneath his breath, wiping the blood from his lip. His legs trembled slightly, and not just from the pressure.
Goksumr chuckled. "You don't understand, do you? You were never meant to exist."
His voice was calm, but underneath was the edge of a blade.
"A Martial Spirit born of another dimension, bearing the power of countless warriors outside this world's order. What arrogance the heavens must have had to allow something like you."
Li Wei's brow furrowed. "So you're here because of my spirit?"
"You're an anomaly in this world," Goksumr said flatly. "Your existence throws off the balance. The Veil doesn't permit wild cards. And a soul master who carries a Rider spirit with potential to awaken higher laws? You, Li Wei, are a fracture. And I am the scalpel sent to stitch this reality closed again."
'How absurd', Li Wei thought.
But the seriousness in Goksumr's tone made one thing clear—this wasn't about power. It was about control.
He braced himself. "Then come and see if you can erase me."
Without a word, Goksumr struck.
"Crystal Flame Blaze.*
A burst of molten yellow-gold fire spiraled out from Goksumr palms, the flames not consuming but restricting, flowing like living snakes. The ground hissed and steamed where it touched, creating an elemental pressure zone that cut off escape paths.
Li Wei put a card into Diendriver gun sideslot. Activating it.
[AttackRide:Illusion]
Three afterimages shot out in different directions. One vaulted upward, one rolled left, and the last dashed forward directly at Goksumr.
Goksumr didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wing, Crystal Wing Slash cleaved through the left and top afterimages, shattering them instantly.
But the real Li Wei had already activated Invisible, slipping into temporary stealth to reposition behind a jagged crystal outcrop.
"Fast reactions," Li Wei whispered. "This guy… doesn't just rely on brute strength."
But he had no time to rest.
A shriek echoed through the sealed field.
Crystal Phoenix Descending.
A spectral phoenix of glass and flame formed behind Goksumr, wings stretching wide as his entire body glowed. His aura ballooned, and the air became heavier, denser.
Then came the cry.
"Crystal Phoenix Scream."
The sound wasn't loud—it was deep. It tore into Li Wei's mind like cold needles.
This cause his invisibility to fade.
He clutched his head, stumbling backward as his spirit power spasmed. His vision flashed white.
'Spiritual suppression... it's targeting my core!'
He dropped to one knee, panting.
'I can't win like this. Not with raw power. Not against a Soul Emperor.'
The image of his grandfather slamming against the barrier flickered in his mind.
'He can't reach me inside this barrier. No one can. Then... I just have to outthink him.'
He gritted his teeth.
"Time for strategy."
He pulled a set of BuffRide cards from his coat and began loading them into the Diendriver, one after another.
[BuffRide: Kuuga!]
Red light engulfed his limbs. Strength surged.
[BuffRide: Kabuto!]
Lightning crackled around him. His speed spiked.
[BuffRide: Drive!]
His reflexes sharpened. Every movement became more fluid.
[BuffRide: Build!]
A hexagonal aura layered over his body, enhancing defense.
[BuffRide: Faiz!]
A sharp line of crimson light traced his fingers. Precision and aim doubled.
His body screamed under the weight of so many buffs, but he didn't stop.
He loaded another card.
[KamenRide: Agito!]
A Rider cloaked in gold and black armor emerged, sprinting toward Goksumr.
[KamenRide: Kiva!]
Chains and blood-red energy howled as a second Rider appeared beside the first.
[KamenRide: Ryuki!]
A third Rider with Dragsaber flashing in the right hand and Dragclaw on the left hand, charged alongside them.
Three at once.
Each launched their special moves.
Agito triggered cross horn to open and execute Rider Kick, smashing into the crystal field.
Kiva let loose Wake Up Fuestle as the chains binding the Hell Gate open. Then Kiva perform Darkness Moon Break.
Ryuki jumps into the air with Dragreder flying behind him. Dragreder then breathes fire at Ryuki, propelling him into a flying kick that strikes toward the enemy performing Dragon Rider Kick.
But Goksumr countered effortlessly.
Crystal shards erupted from his wings as he spun mid-air, tearing through Ryuki. His left arm ignited, deflecting Kiva Darkness Moon Break. Then, with a twist, he slammed his foot into the ground, unleashing a Crystal Quake that sent Agito flying.
"Tricks," Goksumr sneered, brushing dust off his shoulder. "You think borrowed power will save you?"
"No," Li Wei whispered. "Not save. Just stall."
He summoned another set as he shoot toward the front after loading the card.
[KamenRide: Zero-One, W, Den-O!]
Three more.
Then another.
[KamenRide: Ex-Aid, Blade, Hibiki!]
Each Rider came with unique tactics. Den-O bought time with Climax attack. Hibiki deafened the phoenix's cry. Zero-One calculated perfect feints.
The battlefield became a chaotic dance. Riders surged, faded, and were replaced.
Li Wei coordinated each one like a general on the brink of collapse.
Blood streamed from his nose. His skin grew pale. Vision blurred.
But he kept summoning.
I need more... Just a few more...
Each summon lasted twenty seconds at most, but with overlapping, he had nearly thirty Riders cycling through by the peak.
A shimmering army of masked heroes clashed against the golden phoenix.
The field cracked. Crystals shattered. But Goksumr stood, bloodied but still dominant.
"You drown in illusions of hope!" he roared.
He pulled back his wings.
"Crystal Phoenix Piercing Attack!"
A massive spear-shaped phoenix of crystallized light formed at his chest. With a roar, he launched it forward.
Several Riders tried to intercept—Kiva, Blade, Build—but were disintegrated.
Li Wei raised his hand. As in his hand a different card can be seen.
On it showing a Final FormRide type of card. The card that he will use to load in Diendriver and activate it.
The scene froze.
The light of the attack cast long shadows.
Li Wei was panting, his body near breaking.
And yet, he smiled.
The phoenix hurtled toward him.